How the Electoral College Can Change the Presidency

While I understand the pros and cons of the Electoral College, I do begrudgingly agree that it should remain in place as it does allow the smaller states/cities to be heard.

I get it. IF the Electoral College were removed, or circumvented, this would allow the collective votes of the following states — New York, California, Texas, Illinois, Florida and Pennsylvania — to vote in whatever president they want. This is unbalanced and not representative of the majority of Americans.

I GET IT.

However, the Electoral College’s members have the right to vote as they see fit in the best interests of the country. While it is rare, there have been members who cast a different vote (outside of their party). Here is a quote from FactCheck.org. (I have highlighted the last line to emphasize my point.)

“In modern practice, the Electoral College is mostly a formality. Most electors are loyal members of the party that has selected them, and in 26 states, plus Washington, D.C., electors are bound by laws or party pledges to vote in accord with the popular vote. *** Although an elector could, in principle, change his or her vote (and a few actually have over the years), doing so is rare.***”

Another quote to consider, is one from Alexander Hamilton (from The Federalist Papers #68). This is taken from OurPolitics.net:

“Hamilton argues that the direct election of the President could result in a corrupt leader taking power without the will or the people, or ultimately the downfall of the American national government. Hamilton further explains that the Electoral College would consist of capable people free of any bias resulting from the fact that they do not hold political office and are unaffiliated with electors from any other state. As a result of such factors, Hamilton believes that the Electoral College process would afford a “moral certainty” that the office of the Presidency is filled by highly qualified and trustworthy individual.”

The true ideal, and sentiment, behind the creation of the Electoral College (in our Constitution) was so that this group of people — who do not hold any political office — would be the moral fiber of the country and protect Americans from a decision that may prove to not be in our country’s best interests.

There have only been 4 instances, in America’s history, in which the Electoral College elected a president that did not win the popular vote. (Yes, folks. Hilary did win the popular vote.) Two of those times were in the 1800’s and the last two? In 2000, and now 2016.

There is NO NEED to abolish the Electoral College. The Electoral College’s members need to refresh themselves of their civic duty and think long and hard about the vote they will cast in mid-December. (That’s right. The Electoral College does not vote until 41 days after the general election.)

The members of the Electoral College CAN change who will become president in January 2017. They simply have to realize that it is up to them to do so.